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The Covenant of Water
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Historical Fiction (2023)From the New York Times-bestselling author of Cutting for Stone comes a stunning and magisterial epic of love, faith, and medicine, set in Kerala, South India, following three generations of a family seeking the answers to a strange secret
Spanning the years 1900 to 1977, The Covenant of Water is set in Kerala, on India’s Malabar Coast, and follows three generations of a family that suffers a peculiar affliction: in every generation, at least one person dies by drowning—and in Kerala, water is everywhere. At the turn of the century, a twelve-year-old girl from Kerala's Christian community, grieving the death of her father, is sent by boat to her wedding, where she will meet her forty-year-old husband for the first time. From this unforgettable new beginning, the young girl—and future matriarch, Big Ammachi—will witness unthinkable changes over the span of her extraordinary life, full of joy and triumph as well as hardship and loss, her faith and love the only constants.
A shimmering evocation of a bygone India and of the passage of time itself, The Covenant of Water is a hymn to progress in medicine and to human understanding, and a humbling testament to the hardships undergone by past generations for the sake of those alive today. Imbued with humor, deep emotion, and the essence of life, it is one of the most masterful literary novels published in recent years.
Spanning the years 1900 to 1977, The Covenant of Water is set in Kerala, on India’s Malabar Coast, and follows three generations of a family that suffers a peculiar affliction: in every generation, at least one person dies by drowning—and in Kerala, water is everywhere. At the turn of the century, a twelve-year-old girl from Kerala's Christian community, grieving the death of her father, is sent by boat to her wedding, where she will meet her forty-year-old husband for the first time. From this unforgettable new beginning, the young girl—and future matriarch, Big Ammachi—will witness unthinkable changes over the span of her extraordinary life, full of joy and triumph as well as hardship and loss, her faith and love the only constants.
A shimmering evocation of a bygone India and of the passage of time itself, The Covenant of Water is a hymn to progress in medicine and to human understanding, and a humbling testament to the hardships undergone by past generations for the sake of those alive today. Imbued with humor, deep emotion, and the essence of life, it is one of the most masterful literary novels published in recent years.
724 pages, Hardcover
First published May 2, 2023
About the author
Abraham Verghese
21 books8,391 followersAbraham Verghese, MD, MACP, is Professor for the Theory and Practice of Medicine at the Stanford University School of Medicine and Senior Associate Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine.
Born of Indian parents who were teachers in Ethiopia, he grew up near Addis Ababa and began his medical training there. When Emperor Haile Selassie was deposed, he completed his training at Madras Medical College and went to the United States for his residency as one of many foreign medical graduates. Like many others, he found only the less popular hospitals and communities open to him, an experience he described in one of his early New Yorker articles, The Cowpath to America.
From Johnson City, Tennessee, where he was a resident from 1980 to 1983, he did his fellowship at Boston University School of Medicine, working at Boston City Hospital for two years. It was here that he first saw the early signs of the HIV epidemic and later, when he returned to Johnson City as an assistant professor of medicine, he saw the second epidemic, rural AIDS, and his life took the turn for which he is most well known ? his caring for numerous AIDS patients in an era when little could be done and helping them through their early and painful deaths was often the most a physician could do.
His work with terminal patients and the insights he gained from the deep relationships he formed and the suffering he saw were intensely transformative; they became the basis for his first book, My Own Country : A Doctor's Story, written later during his years in El Paso, Texas. Such was his interest in writing that he decided to take some time away from medicine to study at the Iowa Writers Workshop at the University of Iowa, where he earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in 1991. Since then, his writing has appeared in The New Yorker, Texas Monthly, Atlantic, The New York Times, The New York Times Magazine, Granta, Forbes.com, and The Wall Street Journal, among others.
Following Iowa, he became professor of medicine and chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center in El Paso, Texas, where he lived for the next 11 years. In addition to writing his first book, which was one of five chosen as Best Book of the Year by Time magazine and later made into a Mira Nair movie, he also wrote a second best-selling book, The Tennis Partner : A Story of Friendship and Loss, about his friend and tennis partner?s struggle with addiction. This was a New York Times' Notable Book.
Born of Indian parents who were teachers in Ethiopia, he grew up near Addis Ababa and began his medical training there. When Emperor Haile Selassie was deposed, he completed his training at Madras Medical College and went to the United States for his residency as one of many foreign medical graduates. Like many others, he found only the less popular hospitals and communities open to him, an experience he described in one of his early New Yorker articles, The Cowpath to America.
From Johnson City, Tennessee, where he was a resident from 1980 to 1983, he did his fellowship at Boston University School of Medicine, working at Boston City Hospital for two years. It was here that he first saw the early signs of the HIV epidemic and later, when he returned to Johnson City as an assistant professor of medicine, he saw the second epidemic, rural AIDS, and his life took the turn for which he is most well known ? his caring for numerous AIDS patients in an era when little could be done and helping them through their early and painful deaths was often the most a physician could do.
His work with terminal patients and the insights he gained from the deep relationships he formed and the suffering he saw were intensely transformative; they became the basis for his first book, My Own Country : A Doctor's Story, written later during his years in El Paso, Texas. Such was his interest in writing that he decided to take some time away from medicine to study at the Iowa Writers Workshop at the University of Iowa, where he earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in 1991. Since then, his writing has appeared in The New Yorker, Texas Monthly, Atlantic, The New York Times, The New York Times Magazine, Granta, Forbes.com, and The Wall Street Journal, among others.
Following Iowa, he became professor of medicine and chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center in El Paso, Texas, where he lived for the next 11 years. In addition to writing his first book, which was one of five chosen as Best Book of the Year by Time magazine and later made into a Mira Nair movie, he also wrote a second best-selling book, The Tennis Partner : A Story of Friendship and Loss, about his friend and tennis partner?s struggle with addiction. This was a New York Times' Notable Book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 24,771 reviews
June 21, 2023
Updated Rating: 4.5⭐️
Audio Narration: 5⭐️
Update (May 11, 2023): I just finished the audiobook narrated by the author! You'd think that after a 700+ read, I'd shy away from a 30+ hour listen, but I couldn't stop thinking about this book! I had mentioned in my review of the novel that it felt like the author poured his heart and soul into the writing and I now say the same for the audio narration. The author’s calm, heartfelt narration is simply outstanding! I would definitely recommend the book, pairing the book with the audio narration or simply opting for the audiobook if you find the page count daunting!
“All families have secrets, but not all secrets are meant to deceive.”
Dr. Abraham Verghese’s The Covenant of Water follows three generations of an Indian Malayali Christian family in Kerala spanning from 1900 to the 1970s. As the novel begins, we meet twelve-year-old Mariamma preparing for her wedding day. Her groom is a forty-year-old widower with a young son – the owner of a vast expanse of land in Parambil. Unbeknownst to her at the time of marriage (and revealed to her after a tragic loss) is the fact that her husband’s side of the family is plagued by a “condition” that has caused several family tragedies related to drowning across generations. We follow Mariamma or Big Ammachi as she is called and her family through the following decades, and how the condition impacts the lives of those whom she holds dear. Parallel to the Parambil narrative, we also follow the stories of Digby Kilgour, a Scottish doctor who joins the Indian Medical Services in British India as well as Dr. Rune Orquist, who devotes his life to the care of leprosy patients. Though the different threads of the story might seem a tad disjointed, the author weaves these threads into an expansive, breathtakingly beautiful narrative.
“What defines a family isn’t blood but the secrets they share.”
The novel deals with themes of family, tradition, legacy, grief, love and sacrifice and also explores sensitive issues such as colonialism, discrimination and addiction. I enjoyed this story – the characters, the setting, the elegant prose and descriptive detail, the history of the Parambil family, the portrayal of India and Indians under British rule and how India transitioned into an independent nation and the social and political changes that followed. Dr. Verghese draws upon the history of spice trade in India and the culture, traditions and rituals of the Malayali Christian community in India. The author also incorporates how the advancement of medical sciences has contributed to gaining insight into illnesses that were once difficult to define into the narrative. The writing is descriptive with great attention to detail. There are several characters and subplots woven into this narrative and while the volume might appear a tad intimidating, this story was not ambiguous or too complicated to follow.
There are a few minor issues that I should mention. First and foremost, this is an extremely lengthy novel (730+ pages). Those who follow my reviews will know that I don’t find lengthy novels daunting and I’m more than happy to be swept away by a long, fulfilling read as I was with this book, but I feel that this story could have been shorter. Though the author brings all the threads of this story together in a satisfying ending, the multitude of themes, characters and subplots do not allow all the themes to be explored with equal depth, which is understandable. A few significant historical details from the period are mentioned but not explored beyond how they immediately impact the characters in question. There are several descriptive scenes of medical/surgical procedures in the course of this story, which might not make for interesting reading for those not interested in the same. The narrative does suffer from minor repetitiveness but not so much that would detract from the overall reading experience.
The Author has taken inspiration from his mother, who jotted down facts about her life and their family history in a forty-page manuscript in answer to her granddaughter’s questions. It is evident from Dr. Verghese's writing that he has poured his heart and soul into this novel. Evocative, insightful, heartbreaking yet hopeful, The Covenant of Water is a memorable read.
Many thanks to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for the digital review copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
"Ammachi, when I come to the end of a book, and I look up, just four days have passed. But in that time, I've lived through three generations and learned more about the world and about myself than I do during a year in school. Ahab, Queequeg, Ophelia, and other characters die on the page so that we might live better lives."
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Audio Narration: 5⭐️
Update (May 11, 2023): I just finished the audiobook narrated by the author! You'd think that after a 700+ read, I'd shy away from a 30+ hour listen, but I couldn't stop thinking about this book! I had mentioned in my review of the novel that it felt like the author poured his heart and soul into the writing and I now say the same for the audio narration. The author’s calm, heartfelt narration is simply outstanding! I would definitely recommend the book, pairing the book with the audio narration or simply opting for the audiobook if you find the page count daunting!
“All families have secrets, but not all secrets are meant to deceive.”
Dr. Abraham Verghese’s The Covenant of Water follows three generations of an Indian Malayali Christian family in Kerala spanning from 1900 to the 1970s. As the novel begins, we meet twelve-year-old Mariamma preparing for her wedding day. Her groom is a forty-year-old widower with a young son – the owner of a vast expanse of land in Parambil. Unbeknownst to her at the time of marriage (and revealed to her after a tragic loss) is the fact that her husband’s side of the family is plagued by a “condition” that has caused several family tragedies related to drowning across generations. We follow Mariamma or Big Ammachi as she is called and her family through the following decades, and how the condition impacts the lives of those whom she holds dear. Parallel to the Parambil narrative, we also follow the stories of Digby Kilgour, a Scottish doctor who joins the Indian Medical Services in British India as well as Dr. Rune Orquist, who devotes his life to the care of leprosy patients. Though the different threads of the story might seem a tad disjointed, the author weaves these threads into an expansive, breathtakingly beautiful narrative.
“What defines a family isn’t blood but the secrets they share.”
The novel deals with themes of family, tradition, legacy, grief, love and sacrifice and also explores sensitive issues such as colonialism, discrimination and addiction. I enjoyed this story – the characters, the setting, the elegant prose and descriptive detail, the history of the Parambil family, the portrayal of India and Indians under British rule and how India transitioned into an independent nation and the social and political changes that followed. Dr. Verghese draws upon the history of spice trade in India and the culture, traditions and rituals of the Malayali Christian community in India. The author also incorporates how the advancement of medical sciences has contributed to gaining insight into illnesses that were once difficult to define into the narrative. The writing is descriptive with great attention to detail. There are several characters and subplots woven into this narrative and while the volume might appear a tad intimidating, this story was not ambiguous or too complicated to follow.
There are a few minor issues that I should mention. First and foremost, this is an extremely lengthy novel (730+ pages). Those who follow my reviews will know that I don’t find lengthy novels daunting and I’m more than happy to be swept away by a long, fulfilling read as I was with this book, but I feel that this story could have been shorter. Though the author brings all the threads of this story together in a satisfying ending, the multitude of themes, characters and subplots do not allow all the themes to be explored with equal depth, which is understandable. A few significant historical details from the period are mentioned but not explored beyond how they immediately impact the characters in question. There are several descriptive scenes of medical/surgical procedures in the course of this story, which might not make for interesting reading for those not interested in the same. The narrative does suffer from minor repetitiveness but not so much that would detract from the overall reading experience.
The Author has taken inspiration from his mother, who jotted down facts about her life and their family history in a forty-page manuscript in answer to her granddaughter’s questions. It is evident from Dr. Verghese's writing that he has poured his heart and soul into this novel. Evocative, insightful, heartbreaking yet hopeful, The Covenant of Water is a memorable read.
Many thanks to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for the digital review copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
"Ammachi, when I come to the end of a book, and I look up, just four days have passed. But in that time, I've lived through three generations and learned more about the world and about myself than I do during a year in school. Ahab, Queequeg, Ophelia, and other characters die on the page so that we might live better lives."
Connect with me!
My Blog
The StoryGraph
September 22, 2023
I almost walked away. I was intimidated by the size of this book. 715 pages. I often wonder why an author feels they need this many pages to tell a story.
But…
It was a library book, and I had waited months for it.
And…
It was the talk because it was Oprah’s 2023 Book Club pick.
And…
I don’t typically pick a book because she picked it. Just sayin’.
But…
It was time to just…
Read.
At first, I was disturbed as I read about a 12-year-old being led off to marry a 40-year-old in the year 1900 on India’s Malabar Coast.
But…
As I watched the unfolding of that relationship and family, I came to recognize how the world worked at that time. How he honored his wife until she came of age, how the relationship grew in love, and then what the story was truly meant to be about – this “condition” feared and how it would rock the family in such a devastating way.
And then…
Another story emerged.
About a fellow named Digby.
A new timeline.
What?
Why confuse the reader?
And then…
Back in time to our original story of our young girl, now grown, widowed, managing. They lovingly called her, Big Ammachi.
Would her story and Digby’s intersect?
The story is told in such a grand, spectacular, sweeping and utterly absorbing way, I found myself mesmerized. I kept turning pages, and surprised at how quickly the pages were melting away.
And yet…
There were still so many more to read.
Why 715 pages?
Is it possible to still tell this story with less pages?
The book may have begun in 1900, with that 12-year-old girl preparing for her unwanted arranged marriage.
It ends in 1977, when that girl’s physician granddaughter arrives at a shocking discovery.
The family are Indian Christians, descendants of those first converted by St. Thomas in the first century A.D. They have led tough but often joyful lives, and they did make it in the world, despite the challenges.
To provide a plot synopsis would spoil the fun.
Let’s just say that this family loves and suffers in a variety of ways.
This book felt like reading a fairy tale – a good fable.
In reading the author’s acknowledgements at the end, he shares that it began with a notebook that Verghese’s mother wrote for an inquisitive granddaughter.
But mostly…
It is an epic love letter to a country this author loves, that we can see and feel… to characters he has created that we can appreciate…
And…
To a history he has imagined, rich in culture, and detail, and personal memories gathered and researched, that we as readers get to explore through those many, many pages.
But…
It was a library book, and I had waited months for it.
And…
It was the talk because it was Oprah’s 2023 Book Club pick.
And…
I don’t typically pick a book because she picked it. Just sayin’.
But…
It was time to just…
Read.
At first, I was disturbed as I read about a 12-year-old being led off to marry a 40-year-old in the year 1900 on India’s Malabar Coast.
But…
As I watched the unfolding of that relationship and family, I came to recognize how the world worked at that time. How he honored his wife until she came of age, how the relationship grew in love, and then what the story was truly meant to be about – this “condition” feared and how it would rock the family in such a devastating way.
And then…
Another story emerged.
About a fellow named Digby.
A new timeline.
What?
Why confuse the reader?
And then…
Back in time to our original story of our young girl, now grown, widowed, managing. They lovingly called her, Big Ammachi.
Would her story and Digby’s intersect?
The story is told in such a grand, spectacular, sweeping and utterly absorbing way, I found myself mesmerized. I kept turning pages, and surprised at how quickly the pages were melting away.
And yet…
There were still so many more to read.
Why 715 pages?
Is it possible to still tell this story with less pages?
The book may have begun in 1900, with that 12-year-old girl preparing for her unwanted arranged marriage.
It ends in 1977, when that girl’s physician granddaughter arrives at a shocking discovery.
The family are Indian Christians, descendants of those first converted by St. Thomas in the first century A.D. They have led tough but often joyful lives, and they did make it in the world, despite the challenges.
To provide a plot synopsis would spoil the fun.
Let’s just say that this family loves and suffers in a variety of ways.
This book felt like reading a fairy tale – a good fable.
In reading the author’s acknowledgements at the end, he shares that it began with a notebook that Verghese’s mother wrote for an inquisitive granddaughter.
But mostly…
It is an epic love letter to a country this author loves, that we can see and feel… to characters he has created that we can appreciate…
And…
To a history he has imagined, rich in culture, and detail, and personal memories gathered and researched, that we as readers get to explore through those many, many pages.
May 1, 2023
Well… I’m not really finished with this book. I got to 40% and i am wiped out.
I’m done.. no enthusiasm to pick this up anymore, and I am so disappointed because when I saw that this author had a new book, I was very excited. I’m a huge fan of Cutting For Stone!
So, this was way too tedious and I just didn’t care about anyone but Big Amachi.. who in the beginning was married off at 12 yrs old too a much older widower with a young son.. this man ended up being a strong..big.. gentle giant and I only cared about them. My three stars are because of having their story in the book.
It went off in other directions .. many other characters and situations and SO MUCH detail..
I can’t go on…
Don’t let me deter you.. there are many 5 star ratings!
Thanks to Netgalley and Grove Atlantic, Grove Press for the ARC!
I’m done.. no enthusiasm to pick this up anymore, and I am so disappointed because when I saw that this author had a new book, I was very excited. I’m a huge fan of Cutting For Stone!
So, this was way too tedious and I just didn’t care about anyone but Big Amachi.. who in the beginning was married off at 12 yrs old too a much older widower with a young son.. this man ended up being a strong..big.. gentle giant and I only cared about them. My three stars are because of having their story in the book.
It went off in other directions .. many other characters and situations and SO MUCH detail..
I can’t go on…
Don’t let me deter you.. there are many 5 star ratings!
Thanks to Netgalley and Grove Atlantic, Grove Press for the ARC!
May 14, 2023
DNF after more than a third.
The writing is suitable for a mainstream plot-driving book. It didn't impress me, but it wouldn't have been a problem if the story had kept my attention.
I was intrigued by the idea of a curse related to water. It reminded me of a story by Dino Buzzati. I think it's called "Il colombre". So far, this mammoth of a book hasn't managed to tell something more deep than that story.
The idea seemed so promising, to see how the fear of death on the water limits the characters. I was prepared to see the struggle. Unfortunately, like many recent big books, the story is meandering and interrupted by other stories, which I suspect will intersect at some point. I prefer an honest medium-sized book to n books sold as one under the pretext of telling a story that spans n generations. It's a book written like for the fantasy audience: endless not because it's necessary, but because the publisher wants a big book.
But that's not the only problem I've encountered so far.
The covenant of water seems to be for the faith-based audience. You won't see much of this detail in the ads, but faith is a central theme presented up to where I've gotten in a fairly conventional and approving manner. The intentions are quite suspect.
Even more suspicious is the way the author tries to sell you some outdated and unacceptable traditions. The book opens with the marriage of a 12-year-old girl to a 40-year-old man, a relationship that, due to some delays, is presented as acceptable and successful.
There are many medical descriptions in the book as one of the central characters is a doctor. I understand that the author is a doctor himself, so it doesn't surprise me. But everything is again conventional, like moments from ER or Grey's Anatomy. I kept comparing the results to what a talented author like Ian McEwan can produce from the mind of a medical profesional in Saturday, and I couldn't unsee that this book was written by DOCTOR Abraham Verghese. I prefer books written by writers.
I don't usually post DNFs, but I've spent too much time with it to not measure my disappointment somehow.
The writing is suitable for a mainstream plot-driving book. It didn't impress me, but it wouldn't have been a problem if the story had kept my attention.
I was intrigued by the idea of a curse related to water. It reminded me of a story by Dino Buzzati. I think it's called "Il colombre". So far, this mammoth of a book hasn't managed to tell something more deep than that story.
The idea seemed so promising, to see how the fear of death on the water limits the characters. I was prepared to see the struggle. Unfortunately, like many recent big books, the story is meandering and interrupted by other stories, which I suspect will intersect at some point. I prefer an honest medium-sized book to n books sold as one under the pretext of telling a story that spans n generations. It's a book written like for the fantasy audience: endless not because it's necessary, but because the publisher wants a big book.
But that's not the only problem I've encountered so far.
The covenant of water seems to be for the faith-based audience. You won't see much of this detail in the ads, but faith is a central theme presented up to where I've gotten in a fairly conventional and approving manner. The intentions are quite suspect.
Even more suspicious is the way the author tries to sell you some outdated and unacceptable traditions. The book opens with the marriage of a 12-year-old girl to a 40-year-old man, a relationship that, due to some delays, is presented as acceptable and successful.
There are many medical descriptions in the book as one of the central characters is a doctor. I understand that the author is a doctor himself, so it doesn't surprise me. But everything is again conventional, like moments from ER or Grey's Anatomy. I kept comparing the results to what a talented author like Ian McEwan can produce from the mind of a medical profesional in Saturday, and I couldn't unsee that this book was written by DOCTOR Abraham Verghese. I prefer books written by writers.
I don't usually post DNFs, but I've spent too much time with it to not measure my disappointment somehow.
December 17, 2023
I recently had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook version of "The Covenant of Water," and it was a truly captivating experience. The author's storytelling prowess, combined with the exceptional narration, transported me to a world filled with mystery and enchantment.
The link to the audiobook can be found here The Covenant of Water , allowing you to embark on this mesmerizing journey yourself.
"The Covenant of Water" weaves a beautifully intricate tale, seamlessly blending elements of fantasy and adventure. The narrator's skillful delivery brought the characters to life, making their struggles and triumphs feel incredibly real.
The world-building in this book is breathtaking, with vivid descriptions that paint a vivid picture of the enchanting landscapes and magical realms. The author's attention to detail is remarkable, immersing listeners in a rich and immersive setting.
The characters are multi-dimensional and relatable, each with their own unique motivations and personal growth arcs. I found myself emotionally invested in their stories, eagerly following their journeys as they navigated through challenges and discovered the true power of friendship and courage.
"The Covenant of Water" is a must-listen for fans of fantasy and those who appreciate a well-crafted tale. I highly recommend diving into this audiobook to experience the captivating narrative and the enchanting world it unfolds in.
The link to the audiobook can be found here The Covenant of Water , allowing you to embark on this mesmerizing journey yourself.
"The Covenant of Water" weaves a beautifully intricate tale, seamlessly blending elements of fantasy and adventure. The narrator's skillful delivery brought the characters to life, making their struggles and triumphs feel incredibly real.
The world-building in this book is breathtaking, with vivid descriptions that paint a vivid picture of the enchanting landscapes and magical realms. The author's attention to detail is remarkable, immersing listeners in a rich and immersive setting.
The characters are multi-dimensional and relatable, each with their own unique motivations and personal growth arcs. I found myself emotionally invested in their stories, eagerly following their journeys as they navigated through challenges and discovered the true power of friendship and courage.
"The Covenant of Water" is a must-listen for fans of fantasy and those who appreciate a well-crafted tale. I highly recommend diving into this audiobook to experience the captivating narrative and the enchanting world it unfolds in.
September 2, 2023
Seven hundred pages of historical fiction would usually be a hard pass from me, especially something that is admittedly less ambitious in terms of its literary aims. But I am a fan of Malayalam fiction, particularly works that are socially engaged and in conversation with writers and thinkers throughout India. So I gave this a shot. Alas, this book was none of those things, except for the length. It was quite problematic in places: child marriage was romanticized, the legacy of Christianity was largely unexamined, the history lessons were rudimentary, and we had a few characters serving as white savior figures. In conversation with others, I found I wasn’t the only one picking up Gone With the Wind vibes. Verghese has indicated in interviews that he wasn’t interested in engaging these topics on a political level; he was just out to tell a good story. I find that to be a very limiting approach and not at all what I look for in literary fiction. The unfortunate reality is that great works from Kerala and elsewhere in India struggle to find publishers outside the country, even after they are translated. I hope people who enjoyed this, for whatever reason, will be inclined to read work from the region instead of work merely about the region.
May 2, 2023
Update: I can’t say I’m surprised to see that this book was recently announced— chosen for Oprah‘s upcoming monthly book club read.
I’m in outer > is that what we call it? I am not GooGoo over this book and don’t consider it a masterpiece —
I consider it over written.
But I am going to enjoy reading what rest of the world has to say about it. As it was just released!
On the upside…
…..the educational opportunities to learn, explore and examine Kerala, a state on India’s tropical Malabar Coast - known for its palm-lined beaches and backwaters, a network of canals, with mountain slopes that support tea, coffee, coconut trees, lush hills, green landscapes, spice plantations as well as wildlife and national parks….home to elephants, langur monkeys and tigers ….and was named as one of the ten paradises of the world by National Geographic ….. were informative, and culturally enriching.
But….
the negatives of this novel outweigh the positives for me.
I felt no lightness or joy reading this story — none!!
Yet…
I worked my ass off studying Kerala history:
…..the drownings, culture - religious influences, political, social, philosophical and spiritual aspects,
Christianity influence,
moral defines,
rituals,
Medicine treatments and medical melodrama,
understanding of the community, the heritage, and traditions,
the lagoons and wetlands, Kerala food stables and cuisine: (bananas, beef, coconut, fish),
Traditional Kerala clothing,
Authoritative government,
Art pride: dance, literature, martial arts, performance art festivals, music, mythological accounts, language, architecture, customs, religions, region,
Elephants,
Boats, and boatmen
The British colonialism influence (British supremacy),
violence and crimes,
The value of education;
the geography along the Malabar coast,
etc….
while trying to stay interested in the story itself …. a span of seventy-seven years. (with poorly-developed main characters in my opinion)…..and a somewhat predictable epic family story. (it’s obvious that the young adolescent bride will grow to become the matriarch of the family as the years go by).
But…
on the upside again…we ‘do’ begin to get a deeper understanding of why Kerala is considered “God’s County”.
Big Ammachi married (an arranged marriage), as an adolescent to an older widower — and as we follow her into old age — we learn more about the influence of Hinduism (the most widely professed faith in Kerala), the Muslims, and Christians.
We learn about the high volume of drowning cases in Kerala, (a small child, JoJo dies early- near the start of this novel - in a shallow river — which sets a revealing stage that the drownings, called ‘The Condition’ for storytelling purposes, are generational fears/the curse…..
…..as drownings continued to happen throughout seventy-something years. (and are still happening today)
FACT:
“Drowning cases rise alarmingly in Kerala in 2022.
The people who fall into the water and don’t know how to swim will drown if they’re not recused in four minutes.
More than 1,000 people drown in Kerala each year….,
Drowning claims over 6,700 lives in five years. (2022)”
We learn about the caste system:
…..Collision of castes — debates around the socio-political-and cultural renaissance of the past two centuries in Kerala crop up often — the history of the Indian caste system in ‘Kerala’ is different from the rest of India. It didn’t practice the four ladders of caste hierarchy: the Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishya and Shudras, that was practiced in the rest of India.
There were rules for the lower caste system. For example they were not allowed to build their houses near a temple, or near any houses of the Nairs, Namboodiris and Ambalavasis.
The entire Malabar region had strict pollution rules that were considered by the observers to be the most extreme in all of India.
Nairs could kill a lower caste Pulayar on site if they met one of them on a highway.
Nambudhri Brahmins were top of the caste hierarchy and the Pulayar were the lowest.
We get an expanded medical education….(bloody graphics of surgical procedures)….
Lots of history—and culture — a wealth of information (many Indian words).
I looked up each word I didn’t know — but it would have been useful to have had a glossary that included a list of unfamiliar words (names of a meal, or type of clothing, or plant ,etc) > since sooo many unfamiliar foreign words ‘were’ included in the storytelling.
At the heart of this story …..(competes with the descriptive informative details)….is a story about love, loss, family, marriage, children, parenting, aging, living, illness, dignity, war, generational secrets and fears, the value of home, academic dreams, death, complex relationships, struggles with the demands of loyalty >>> “The Covenant of Water” is a combination of the fierce and tender, taking the reader on long-winded daunting journey….sometimes heartbreaking and pure brutality….
occasional humor, (but for me lacking in emotional generosity)….
because much too often it was simply too exhausting to plow through Verghese’s scholarly prose.
For me…
….it seemed like two things were happening simultaneously:
…..the forward action about the characters….
….and
….specific details to ‘learn’ about the added descriptions to the plot/plots itself.
Although there ‘were’ beautiful descriptions along with ‘back-story-tidbits’ to keep track of….
I either started to lose track of being able to fully know what was going on-(needing to re-read pages often) —
or— pretty soon all those beautiful descriptions started to deplete my natural interest. With too much irrelevant information—essentials overwritten—and way too long and drawn out — constantly interrupted by a variety of details -
it was very challenging to experience the richness and enchanting (good effort) storytelling.
I started to feel irritated. Reading became tedious…. but I kept looking for a payoff….
but unfortunately this book put me in a crappy mood…
I learned a lot but was also painfully disappointed.
Personally, I enjoyed all three other books by Verghese:
“Cutting for Stone”, “The Tennis Partner” and
“My Own Country”, more then I did this book.
I tried of sentences that each felt like a major production.
The plot (no where near as gut-interesting as “Cutting For Stone”,)
kept being thwarted
with tangents that were largely irrelevant.
But …a few excerpts…
“The night is still. At first, she hears only the hum of the stars. Then a pigeon coos on the roof. She hears the three-note call of the bulbul. A faint scuffle in the muttam and the soft padding sounds must be Caesar chasing his tail. Also a repetitive drumming that she cannot place. Then it comes to her: loud, and almost synchronous with hers. That low-pitched, muffled thud reassures her, remind her that she’s in the arms of the man she married almost five years ago. She thinks of the quiet ways he’s attended to her needs, from arranging for the newspaper to escorting her to church for the first time, and now walking her to the boat jetty every Sunday. He expresses his affection indirectly in those acts of caring, in the way he looks at her with pride as she talks to JoJo, or as she reads the paper to him”.
“One of the legends about Mar Gregarious is that he had wanted to cross the river flowing past this very church to visit a parishioner on the other bank. But neither the jetty, three high-spirited women were bathing in the shallows, their wet clothes clinging to them, their shrieks and laughter floating in the air like festive ribbons. Out of modesty he retreated to the church. Half an hour later, they were still there. He gave up, muttering to himself, ‘Stay in the water then. I’ll go tomorrow’. That night his deacon reported that three women seemed unable to get out of the river Mae Gregarious felt remorse for his casual words. He fell to his knees and prayed, then said to the deacon, ‘Tell them they can come out now. And they did. Big Ammachi is there to shamelessly ask for the inverse: that Mar Gregarious prevent her only son from stepping into the river. I’m a widow with two young ones to raise. On top of that I must worry about this boy, who, just like his father, is in danger around water. It’s a Condition they were born with. I already lost one son to water. But this one is determined to swim. Please, I beg you. What if four words from you, ‘Stay out of the water’, means he’ll live long and glorify God?”
“The British ward is empty, but for the bird like figure of Lena Mylin, lying there still in bed, her breathing rapid. Strands of dark curly hair are glued to her for head. She watches Digby’s approach with apprehension. Franz says, ‘Please don’t jar her bed. The slightest movement makes the pain worse”.
“That statement alone speaks of peritonitis from abdominal catastrophe, which Digby’s exam confirms:
the right side of her belly is rigid. He registers her dry tongue and parched lips, and the tint of jaundice in her eyes, and her clammy skin.
When he asks her to take a deep breath, while he gently probes below her ribs on her right side, she winces an arrest her inhalation. Her inflamed gallbladder has met Digby’s fingers. He doesn’t mince words,’I’m pretty sure a stone is obstructing your gallbladder and now it’s distended with pus. He avoids the word “gangrenous”, so as not to alarm them further. It’s urgent we operate”.
Big Ammachi introduces Philipose, saying that her dream is that he will study medicine in Madras”
“Something about the boy’s forced smile tells him that Philipose has no desire to study medicine but is too polite to contradict mother”.
“Big Ammachi’s fervent wish had been that her son would study medicine; his saving the life of the boatman’s baby was God showing him his calling. But Philipose felt God was showing him quite the opposite: that he had no stomach for sickness or disease”.
I got tired of meditating on flavors of pepper, ginger, garlic and red chili—and ongoing ‘familiar/repetitive’ type sentences like this one:
“His tongue probes for the karimeen’s fine bones that are nature’s way of saying. Slow down and savor”….
BECAUSE…
I felt ‘forced’ to slow down my reading of this novel - in ‘order’ to attempt to ‘savor’ the flavors of this novel —
In the end …. I didn’t ‘savor’ this book (I worked it - studied it - but didn’t savor it)
Then….
I notice I’d read sentences like this next one three times ( pondering why):
“A terrifying but human sound assaults his ears. The morsel on his tongue turns to clay. His hairs stand on end. It’s a man’s voice, a keening”.
Soooo…..
…..in the big picture, I struggled. ( blood, sweat, and tears)…
With a plot that was not as straightforward as “Cutting For Stone”, reading was laborious.
Ha!….
…..but it was also a (oddly challenging), memorable experience I am happy to finally finish.
That said…
I’m a fan of Abraham Verghese (I went to see him at local book readings three different times)….
I admire ‘who’ he is ….
a medical doctor, professor of medicine, a passionate writer,
a man who values family and friendships, and a man who sincerely is a great humanitarian.
Overall 3 stars. Valuable - informative. Cared less about the story and more about the history (but I had to work to study and understand the history).
February 12, 2023
This is a story of family, a family seemingly cursed over generations, cursed by the water that surrounds them, as well as other issues that plague them.
Their story begins in 1900, in Travancore, South India with a girl who will be married the next morning. Her mother lies beside her on this night, the last night she will spend in the only home she has ever known. She wakes early the next morning, and while her mother still sleeps, she sits to write her thoughts, ’her father’s ghostly impression preserved in the cane weave’, and stares at the view outside the window, saying her goodbyes to the lagoon, the coconut trees, and the creek. Her husband-to-be is a man she has not yet met, she only knows that he values her as the daughter of a priest, although ’Her father’s breath was now just air.’ Her husband-to-be is a widower with a young son, and is older than her mother at the age of forty. She is twelve.
’Where the sea meets white beach, it thrusts fingers inland to intertwine with the rivers snaking down the green canopied slopes of the Ghats. It is a child’s fantasy world of rivulets and canals, a latticework of lakes and lagoons, a maze of backwaters and bottle-green lotus ponds; a vast circulatory system because, as her father used to say, all water is connected.’
While this covers the lives of many people, generations as well as places, the connections made, connections lost, as well as tragedies, at times it may seem as though the individual stories aren’t connected - the heart this story is about connections, and eventually the individual stories, like the waters, all flow into one.
Pub Date: 02 May 2023
Many thanks for the ARC provided by Grove Atlantic, Grove Press
October 29, 2023
I listened to Abraham Verghese's novel, The Covenant of Water, on audiobook. Verghese is a phenomenal narrator and I highly recommend listening to this powerful story. The Covenant of Water illustrates how we are all inextricably linked.
Verghese masterfully weaves a rich tapestry that encompasses the lives of three generations of families intertwined by life, death, accidents, tragedies, revolutionary movements, and health. Career aspirations coupled with caste, gender, societal norms, and marital decisions impact the flow of each person's life.
The 31 hour audiobook held me spellbound for days and it is a book that will be in my heart and memory for a very long time.
Highly recommend!
Verghese masterfully weaves a rich tapestry that encompasses the lives of three generations of families intertwined by life, death, accidents, tragedies, revolutionary movements, and health. Career aspirations coupled with caste, gender, societal norms, and marital decisions impact the flow of each person's life.
The 31 hour audiobook held me spellbound for days and it is a book that will be in my heart and memory for a very long time.
Highly recommend!
November 11, 2022
I have not fallen so deeply in love with a novel in a very long time. I guess it shouldn’t surprise me; I’ve admired and loved all of Verghese’s previous books. At over 700 pages, across eight decades and three generations, The Covenant of Water weaves history and medicine into an enormously powerful story of human connection and frailty, of secrets and triumphs. Set in Kerala in South India, Big Ammachi and her extended family suffer from a peculiar malady involving an aversion to water, a medical mystery that ties together much of the narrative. Verghese adds to the mix an exploration of love, caste, and poverty, of farming and art, of faith and activism. This is a novel to read and reread, to think about and ponder, to keep close.
May 28, 2023
I heard Dr. Verghese speak recently about his book. He said his editor told him “it needed to be as long as it needed to be.” His editor, in my opinion is wrong. I read all 725 pages trying to decide what it was that was bothering me. I loved, loved, loved Cutting for Stone and I had been looking forward to Covenant. It took me to the end of the book to figure out that what I didn’t like about the book was his editor’s fault. There is a beautiful, poignant (albeit depressing) story hidden inside of way too many unnecessary words. I’m a nurse, and usually I like medical descriptions and stories. Even I found this excessive and boring. I think 300 pages could have been cut and what would have been left would have been a wonderful, magical story. I’m looking forward to any other novel the good Dr. might write as long as he gets a decent editor. Actual rating 3.5 stars.
May 23, 2023
DNF Got to almost halfway and just couldn’t stand to read anymore. Meandering plot and characters, writer shallowly invested in any of them. Once a storyline picks up for one, they shift to another and don’t return for a long while or at all. Disjointed at best story that shifts between characters and time at random.
May 8, 2023
Cutting For Stone was a game changer for me, a miracle of a book that grabbed from the very first page and held throughout its considerable length. After a wait of over ten years, I was thrilled to be trusted with an early copy of Dr. Verghese's next book, which he describes himself as a family saga close to his own family. Unfortunately, it never held the power of the earlier book and seemed more of a treatise of the Southern tip of India region, its history and culture, and not fleshed out with a compelling story. As I've said before, it breaks my heart to give a negative review to a favorite author.
January 22, 2024
I’ll admit the premise of The Covenant of Water didn’t excite me much. I’m not big on multiple generational sagas. But this was a book club selection for both my clubs, so I dived in. I both listened and read this, which I recommend to hear the pronunciation along with being able to note the spelling of the various names. (Reading it also enabled me to google certain places when I wanted visual images.)
And surprisingly, I was drawn into the story almost immediately. Not so much by the idea of this family having some sort of curse on it, in which at least one member of each generation drowns, but by the character development and the way the story also draws in the history of India, in particular the Kerala area. There is a lot of discussion about the caste system (which is different for this area than other areas of India), how marriages are arranged, and other ways Indian life is so different than ours. I was surprised that there were so many major characters that weren’t members of the family, including English/European individuals. The story doesn’t go in a straight line, so there is some back and forth between years. This meant I would assume a character had disappeared only for them to reappear later in the book.
As would be expected from an author who’s also a doctor, there is a focus on medicine and advancements in the field. Some of the scenes involving surgery can get a little graphic.
While there are numerous deaths, this wasn’t a sad book. A variety of depressing issues are addressed, including leprosy, grief and addiction. But happier ones as well, including charity, art and the desire/need to create, the role of women through the years. There’s actually some humor. When Uplift Master translates for McGillicutty, I was laughing out loud. But my favorite passage was:
“He mumbles, “God has failed us again.”…”Yes, God failed us”, she says. “When he was handing out common sense, he overlooked you.”
Overall, I appreciated this book but it wasn’t a five star, best of the year, kind of book for me. I felt it could have been condensed. I appreciated the ending and how well Verghese wrapped all the loose endings up. I will admit to having foreseen some of the twists but it didn’t dampen my appreciation. Overall, it’s a worthwhile endeavor and should make for a very interesting discussion.
The author narrates the book and did an admirable job.
And surprisingly, I was drawn into the story almost immediately. Not so much by the idea of this family having some sort of curse on it, in which at least one member of each generation drowns, but by the character development and the way the story also draws in the history of India, in particular the Kerala area. There is a lot of discussion about the caste system (which is different for this area than other areas of India), how marriages are arranged, and other ways Indian life is so different than ours. I was surprised that there were so many major characters that weren’t members of the family, including English/European individuals. The story doesn’t go in a straight line, so there is some back and forth between years. This meant I would assume a character had disappeared only for them to reappear later in the book.
As would be expected from an author who’s also a doctor, there is a focus on medicine and advancements in the field. Some of the scenes involving surgery can get a little graphic.
While there are numerous deaths, this wasn’t a sad book. A variety of depressing issues are addressed, including leprosy, grief and addiction. But happier ones as well, including charity, art and the desire/need to create, the role of women through the years. There’s actually some humor. When Uplift Master translates for McGillicutty, I was laughing out loud. But my favorite passage was:
“He mumbles, “God has failed us again.”…”Yes, God failed us”, she says. “When he was handing out common sense, he overlooked you.”
Overall, I appreciated this book but it wasn’t a five star, best of the year, kind of book for me. I felt it could have been condensed. I appreciated the ending and how well Verghese wrapped all the loose endings up. I will admit to having foreseen some of the twists but it didn’t dampen my appreciation. Overall, it’s a worthwhile endeavor and should make for a very interesting discussion.
The author narrates the book and did an admirable job.
May 7, 2023
How i hate to not give this a 5. This really could have been a great book if an editor had the nerve to EDIT it. The story was good but it was long winded and rambling at times, distracting from the enjoyment.
Addendum: after reading reviews I’m wondering if it’s the same book I read, and how reviews would be if another author had written it.
Addendum: after reading reviews I’m wondering if it’s the same book I read, and how reviews would be if another author had written it.
April 16, 2023
An epic new work of historical fiction by Abraham Verghese which, in a letter to his readers, he says is based on his own mother's stories. It is set in Kerala, India, spanning the years from 1900 to 1977. We meet the Parambil family and their secret: in each generation, going back several, a family member has died from drowning.
The story is so rich and evocative. It deals not only with complicated family relationships, friendship and love but also with social issues like the caste system and the right of a nation to be free to rule itself.
"....[W]hen I come to the end of a book and I look up, just four days have passed. But in that time I've lived through three generations and learned more about the world and about myself than I do during a year of school." So true!
Many thanks to author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new book via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
The story is so rich and evocative. It deals not only with complicated family relationships, friendship and love but also with social issues like the caste system and the right of a nation to be free to rule itself.
"....[W]hen I come to the end of a book and I look up, just four days have passed. But in that time I've lived through three generations and learned more about the world and about myself than I do during a year of school." So true!
Many thanks to author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new book via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
August 4, 2023
Finally, I’ve finished this. It too everything I had not to stop many times. This is one of the most disjointed, confusing, corny books I’ve read. I found the multiple storylines to be overwritten, many unnecessary repetitive phrases and quotes. The transitions between chapters and storyline were amateurish, poorly done. I’m stunned that the author of Cutting For Stone, a masterpiece, wrote this! Many will disagree but I wish I hadn’t wasted my time and money on this one. Very unsatisfying.
May 18, 2023
My favourite read for the year so far, and I’m sure this will still be in my top three by end of the year. Even though I had high expectations I enjoyed this as much as Cutting for Stone. This is an example of epic storytelling at its best – think The Heart's Invisible Furies and The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay.
The setting, Kerala on South India's Malabar Coast, is lusciously described and would make a beautiful movie. I absolutely adored the big cast of characters, their always interesting backstories and their interconnecting storylines almost spanning a century.
The author’s passion and compassion when writing about relationships, medical procedures as well as India and its history is what makes this literary novel something not to be missed. Very highly recommended.
The setting, Kerala on South India's Malabar Coast, is lusciously described and would make a beautiful movie. I absolutely adored the big cast of characters, their always interesting backstories and their interconnecting storylines almost spanning a century.
The author’s passion and compassion when writing about relationships, medical procedures as well as India and its history is what makes this literary novel something not to be missed. Very highly recommended.
December 9, 2023
I was warned by more than one person that this book was not equal to Cutting for Stone and might disappoint me. That was not the case. I found it had the same depth, the same magical quality, and the same ability to put me in a particular location and in the skins of the characters. IMHO, Verghese has done it again.
The Covenant of Water follows three generations of an Indian family who have a “condition” that makes them unable to tolerate water and susceptible to drowning. Once more, Verghese brings his medical expertise to bear on a very human story. He immerses his reader in the culture of India, without ignoring the pitfalls of a caste system and the influence of the British.
One thing Verghese does that might be jarring to some readers is switch between stories as he follows different characters through their lives. He begins with a young girl, unnamed, which I think is very intentional, who at 12 years of age is about to be married to a much, much older man. I became very invested in her story and suddenly found myself in what could be another book entirely as Verghese takes up the story of Digby, a young doctor from Glasgow, on his way to India to get the surgical experience he is being denied in Scotland.
Again, I was completely drawn into Digby’s story when I was transported back to the original set of characters. It was necessary to trust Verghese to run these two parallel lines together at some point, and he was entirely worthy of this trust. I personally found both stories so compelling that the switches from one to another were only momentarily startling.
This book is replete with profound themes, including the nature and purpose of suffering, the role of religion in coping with life, the ties of family, the question of fate vs. free choice, the danger of secrets, and the importance of love.
“Forgive me, Lord.” She thought her prayers were unanswered. But God’s time isn’t the same as hers. God’s calendar isn’t the one hanging in her kitchen. To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.
What’s fur ye won’t go by ye, Digby thinks. It was a phrase his mother would use: whatever is in his destiny will come to him, regardless.
I found much of the book to be about this balance: trusting and waiting for God to intercede and finding the destiny you cannot avoid, the one that gives you purpose, the one that makes your life meaningful. Sometimes the destiny we want is not the one that is meant for us; but the one that is meant for us can be richer than we imagine.
There is also the sense of loneliness and isolation that comes from being different. Yet, it is the difference that makes each of these characters so extraordinary. It is the sorrows and tragedies that inform their talents and what they give back to the world in which they live. They do not leave the world as they found it.
Yes, old man, yes, eyes open to this precious land and its people, to the covenant of water, water that washes away the sins of the world, water that will gather in streams, ponds, and rivers, rivers that float the seas, water that I will never enter.
This is a very weak review for a very marvelous book. I cannot match the inspiration or convey the exceptional depths of thought this book stirred in me. I believe Abraham Verghese is one of the great writers of his time.
The Covenant of Water follows three generations of an Indian family who have a “condition” that makes them unable to tolerate water and susceptible to drowning. Once more, Verghese brings his medical expertise to bear on a very human story. He immerses his reader in the culture of India, without ignoring the pitfalls of a caste system and the influence of the British.
One thing Verghese does that might be jarring to some readers is switch between stories as he follows different characters through their lives. He begins with a young girl, unnamed, which I think is very intentional, who at 12 years of age is about to be married to a much, much older man. I became very invested in her story and suddenly found myself in what could be another book entirely as Verghese takes up the story of Digby, a young doctor from Glasgow, on his way to India to get the surgical experience he is being denied in Scotland.
Again, I was completely drawn into Digby’s story when I was transported back to the original set of characters. It was necessary to trust Verghese to run these two parallel lines together at some point, and he was entirely worthy of this trust. I personally found both stories so compelling that the switches from one to another were only momentarily startling.
This book is replete with profound themes, including the nature and purpose of suffering, the role of religion in coping with life, the ties of family, the question of fate vs. free choice, the danger of secrets, and the importance of love.
“Forgive me, Lord.” She thought her prayers were unanswered. But God’s time isn’t the same as hers. God’s calendar isn’t the one hanging in her kitchen. To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.
What’s fur ye won’t go by ye, Digby thinks. It was a phrase his mother would use: whatever is in his destiny will come to him, regardless.
I found much of the book to be about this balance: trusting and waiting for God to intercede and finding the destiny you cannot avoid, the one that gives you purpose, the one that makes your life meaningful. Sometimes the destiny we want is not the one that is meant for us; but the one that is meant for us can be richer than we imagine.
There is also the sense of loneliness and isolation that comes from being different. Yet, it is the difference that makes each of these characters so extraordinary. It is the sorrows and tragedies that inform their talents and what they give back to the world in which they live. They do not leave the world as they found it.
Yes, old man, yes, eyes open to this precious land and its people, to the covenant of water, water that washes away the sins of the world, water that will gather in streams, ponds, and rivers, rivers that float the seas, water that I will never enter.
This is a very weak review for a very marvelous book. I cannot match the inspiration or convey the exceptional depths of thought this book stirred in me. I believe Abraham Verghese is one of the great writers of his time.
December 3, 2023
And a river went out of Eden to water the garden.
----Genesis 2:10
This was such a beautiful book that I found myself enthralled with three generations of a family in India beginning toward the end of the British Raj as Abraham Verghese pens his latest epic novel, what a storyteller that man is. Spanning the years of 1900 to 1977 in South India's Malabar Coast, this was a beautiful novel of a family with a peculiar affliction where a person dies by drowning or is deathly afraid of water. This is a community of the St. Thomas Christians that can trace its time to the Apostles. But on a personal level we accompany a twelve-year old girl as she will be married in the morning when she travels to Travancore, South India. It is here that this young girl will become the matriarch of this family known as Big Ammachi--literally "Big Mother." The changes that will be witnessed over the span of her life are sweeping and monumental. Because Abraham Verghese is a physician, the medical background and science in this book is phenomenal. This beautiful book is a tribute to the progress of medicine. I loved this sprawling book by this wonderful storyteller, Abraham Verghese. Once more he has transported me to another continent and another time and I loved every moment of it.
"All water is connected, and her world is limitless. He stands at the limits of his."
"This is the covenant of water; that they're all linked inescapably by their acts of commission and omission, and no one stands alone."
May 10, 2023
This book solidified my passion for drama and historical fiction.
What a formidable storytelling!
What a sweeping saga about a family in the Kerala Estate of India, from 1900 to 1977!
The audiobook, which I listened simultaneously while reading, is narrated by the author, and I thought that he did a phenomenal job, although I had to increase the speed to at least 1.25, because he was too slow for me. His narration brought the book to life.
There are so many heartbreaking and uplifting moments.
I really thought that this was extraordinary.
Even though the storyline may be considered a slow burn, I was immediately hooked and I did not want to take my eyes off the pages (or my noise cancelling headphones).
There are also some good humour inserted in the dialogues (some made me laugh out loud in public).
There are plenty of descriptions of surgical procedures that may not please everyone.
As I’m kind of speechless I want to repeat what Joan Frank wrote so perfectly in “The Washington Post: “the author writes sex scenes with striking tenderness, as well as stunning accounts of birth and death struggles, graphic surgeries, mouthwatering food, and keen depictions of class and caste divisions in Glasgow and India”.
I know that it’s too early, but I think it’s going to be hard for another book to take the crown off this one as the best book I have read this year (but I thought the same about “Funny Boy”, by Shyam Selvadurai, which until now was holding the title as my favourite book of this year - out of 66).
Hardcover: 776 pages (10 parts, 84 chapters)
Audiobook narrated by the author: 31.1 hours (normal speed)
What a formidable storytelling!
What a sweeping saga about a family in the Kerala Estate of India, from 1900 to 1977!
The audiobook, which I listened simultaneously while reading, is narrated by the author, and I thought that he did a phenomenal job, although I had to increase the speed to at least 1.25, because he was too slow for me. His narration brought the book to life.
There are so many heartbreaking and uplifting moments.
I really thought that this was extraordinary.
Even though the storyline may be considered a slow burn, I was immediately hooked and I did not want to take my eyes off the pages (or my noise cancelling headphones).
There are also some good humour inserted in the dialogues (some made me laugh out loud in public).
There are plenty of descriptions of surgical procedures that may not please everyone.
As I’m kind of speechless I want to repeat what Joan Frank wrote so perfectly in “The Washington Post: “the author writes sex scenes with striking tenderness, as well as stunning accounts of birth and death struggles, graphic surgeries, mouthwatering food, and keen depictions of class and caste divisions in Glasgow and India”.
I know that it’s too early, but I think it’s going to be hard for another book to take the crown off this one as the best book I have read this year (but I thought the same about “Funny Boy”, by Shyam Selvadurai, which until now was holding the title as my favourite book of this year - out of 66).
Hardcover: 776 pages (10 parts, 84 chapters)
Audiobook narrated by the author: 31.1 hours (normal speed)
December 17, 2023
Una novela cautivadora. Me ha gustado mucho. Verghese tiene traducida una obra anterior, que ya está en mi lista de pendientes.
Dice la sinopsis:
El pacto del agua sigue a una familia que sufre una aflicción en cada generación, al menos una persona muere ahogada, y en Kerala el agua está en todas partes. A principios del siglo XX, una niña de doce años es enviada en barco para contraer matrimonio con un hombre de cuarenta al que no conoce. A partir de entonces, la joven y futura matriarca, conocida como Big Ammachi, será testigo de cambios una historia llena de alegrías, pruebas de amor y lucha ante las adversidades. Evocación de una India desaparecida, imbuida de humor y emoción, El pacto del agua es un himno al entendimiento humano y al progreso de la medicina, y un testimonio de las dificultades sufridas por las generaciones pasadas por el bienestar de quienes viven ahora.
Mis impresiones.
La novela relata la historia de tres generaciones de una familia hindú, cristianos de Santo Tomás, desde 1900 hasta 1978. Se ambienta en Parambil, Madrás y los Ghats suroccidentales de Travancore.
El hilo conductor es Gran Ammachi, que contrae matrimonio a los doce años con un hombre de cuarenta, viudo y con un hijo. La familia con la que emparenta sufre desde hace generaciones de un mal, "la Condición", que lleva a aquellos que la heredan a tener muchas probabilidades de morir ahogados. En una zona como Kerala, donde el agua está por todas partes esa probabilidad cristaliza a menudo en muertes. En qué consiste este mal y cómo curarlo se convierte en el gran anhelo de la matriarca, que generación tras generación, le pide a Dios que si no puede curarlos ponga en su camino a alguien que sí pueda.
Paralelamente a la historia principal, desarrolla la de Digby, un cirujano escocés, que, discriminado en su país de origen por ser católico, acaba ejerciendo en Madrás.
La narración se articula en diez partes. Todas las piezas van a encajar, unas a medida que transcurren los hechos, otras tendremos que esperar hasta el final.
Son muchos los temas que se tocan en este libro, la familia, el amor, el sacrificio, las tradiciones, el sistema de castas, la alienación de los leprosos, la medicina, la colonización británica, la discriminación que impuso a la población nativa, la posterior independencia y la evolución de las costumbres.
La ambientación, muy buena, es uno de los puntos fuertes. Verghese recrea una atmósfera que es un fresco de lugares y costumbres. Las aldeas, las ciudades, los trenes, los olores, las enfermedades comunes en ese lugar y época, las privaciones y las personas, que a su vez constituyen un mosaico heterogéneo.
Los personajes, numerosos, están bien trazados. Entre todos ellos brillan con luz propia Gran Ammachi, Elsie y Mariamma. Tres mujeres muy distintas, pero fundamentales. En torno a ellas se articula la historia. Destaco igualmente, como el autor nos presenta el carácter de aquellos aquejados por la Condición, el marido de Gran Ammachi, Jojo, Philipose, Lenin y Ninam. Con los rasgos de cada uno se construye el mapa del mal que los aqueja, aunque tardarán generaciones en ponerle nombre.
El desenlace es correcto. Me ha dejado con ganas de un poco más, pero eso ya es personal y subjetivo.
En conclusión, una novela cautivadora, una saga familiar con el telón de fondo de la India del siglo XX. Buenos personajes y bien narrada. Recomendable.
Dice la sinopsis:
El pacto del agua sigue a una familia que sufre una aflicción en cada generación, al menos una persona muere ahogada, y en Kerala el agua está en todas partes. A principios del siglo XX, una niña de doce años es enviada en barco para contraer matrimonio con un hombre de cuarenta al que no conoce. A partir de entonces, la joven y futura matriarca, conocida como Big Ammachi, será testigo de cambios una historia llena de alegrías, pruebas de amor y lucha ante las adversidades. Evocación de una India desaparecida, imbuida de humor y emoción, El pacto del agua es un himno al entendimiento humano y al progreso de la medicina, y un testimonio de las dificultades sufridas por las generaciones pasadas por el bienestar de quienes viven ahora.
Mis impresiones.
La novela relata la historia de tres generaciones de una familia hindú, cristianos de Santo Tomás, desde 1900 hasta 1978. Se ambienta en Parambil, Madrás y los Ghats suroccidentales de Travancore.
El hilo conductor es Gran Ammachi, que contrae matrimonio a los doce años con un hombre de cuarenta, viudo y con un hijo. La familia con la que emparenta sufre desde hace generaciones de un mal, "la Condición", que lleva a aquellos que la heredan a tener muchas probabilidades de morir ahogados. En una zona como Kerala, donde el agua está por todas partes esa probabilidad cristaliza a menudo en muertes. En qué consiste este mal y cómo curarlo se convierte en el gran anhelo de la matriarca, que generación tras generación, le pide a Dios que si no puede curarlos ponga en su camino a alguien que sí pueda.
Paralelamente a la historia principal, desarrolla la de Digby, un cirujano escocés, que, discriminado en su país de origen por ser católico, acaba ejerciendo en Madrás.
La narración se articula en diez partes. Todas las piezas van a encajar, unas a medida que transcurren los hechos, otras tendremos que esperar hasta el final.
Son muchos los temas que se tocan en este libro, la familia, el amor, el sacrificio, las tradiciones, el sistema de castas, la alienación de los leprosos, la medicina, la colonización británica, la discriminación que impuso a la población nativa, la posterior independencia y la evolución de las costumbres.
La ambientación, muy buena, es uno de los puntos fuertes. Verghese recrea una atmósfera que es un fresco de lugares y costumbres. Las aldeas, las ciudades, los trenes, los olores, las enfermedades comunes en ese lugar y época, las privaciones y las personas, que a su vez constituyen un mosaico heterogéneo.
Los personajes, numerosos, están bien trazados. Entre todos ellos brillan con luz propia Gran Ammachi, Elsie y Mariamma. Tres mujeres muy distintas, pero fundamentales. En torno a ellas se articula la historia. Destaco igualmente, como el autor nos presenta el carácter de aquellos aquejados por la Condición, el marido de Gran Ammachi, Jojo, Philipose, Lenin y Ninam. Con los rasgos de cada uno se construye el mapa del mal que los aqueja, aunque tardarán generaciones en ponerle nombre.
El desenlace es correcto. Me ha dejado con ganas de un poco más, pero eso ya es personal y subjetivo.
En conclusión, una novela cautivadora, una saga familiar con el telón de fondo de la India del siglo XX. Buenos personajes y bien narrada. Recomendable.
August 30, 2024
All of the stars!
I finished reading this book early this morning but I needed to wait a bit before attempting to write a review that is worthy of this epic story.
14 hours later … I have realized I cannot write a review that would be able to describe how wonderful the experience of reading this book was to me.
Abraham Verghase blew me away with Cutting for Stone but The Covenant of Water is even better.
You’ll start your adventure in early 20th century India and be taken through to the 1970’s.
Every character and generation is crafted with an amazing attention to detail and the way all of them are connected (like all of the water in the oceans and rivers of the Earth are) is not forced in any way, the connections are perfection.
READ THIS BOOK
I finished reading this book early this morning but I needed to wait a bit before attempting to write a review that is worthy of this epic story.
14 hours later … I have realized I cannot write a review that would be able to describe how wonderful the experience of reading this book was to me.
Abraham Verghase blew me away with Cutting for Stone but The Covenant of Water is even better.
You’ll start your adventure in early 20th century India and be taken through to the 1970’s.
Every character and generation is crafted with an amazing attention to detail and the way all of them are connected (like all of the water in the oceans and rivers of the Earth are) is not forced in any way, the connections are perfection.
READ THIS BOOK
June 3, 2024
Took me a long time to read this as I kept losing interest. This could use a little editing without losing any part of the story and its essence.
February 2, 2023
I have a shelf in my office set aside for favourite books. Stories that have had a profound effect or mean something special to me, and THE COVENANT OF WATER will absolutely and for always sit on that shelf.
This sweeping novel follows three generations of a family in Southern India, a family with many secrets, but perhaps the most mysterious secret of all is why, within each generation, at least one member of the family dies by drowning. The story is told so exquisitely and the characters, whose lives cross and connect as the water crosses and connects the land, are so rich and vibrant, I feel as though I have walked all those years alongside them. It begins in 1900 India, with the marriage of a twelve year-old girl to a widower many years her senior and through that literary trapdoor you enter a world in which you will remain, entranced, for the next seventy years. Stretching from the backstreets of Glasgow to the tranquility of Parambil, the author expertly weaves the story of seemingly unconnected people with such wisdom and clarity, until it reaches the most intensely moving and heart-breaking conclusion which underlines, for me, the most important message in this novel: none of us stands alone. As described by Rune, one of my favourite characters and a man who devotes his life to those who unbelong, we are all one. The land, the water, the beggar, the master. The edges that separate us are just an illusion. Unfolding from that epiphany is the question of where we fit, where are we accepted for who we truly are and can we ever live our lives free of judgement. This is measured so clearly by exploring the devastation of leprosy and the continued injustice of the caste system, but also by gently examining the quiet prejudices that crouch in even the most well-meaning mind.
I have sadly never visited India, but reading this novel I feel as though I have - surely one of the greatest gifts of a brilliantly told story. I have walked the landscape at Parambil, I have been overwhelmed by the chaos of Madras, I have stroked the trunk of Damo the elephant, and I have lain on a mat beside Big Ammachi and listened to her stories. Finishing this novel felt like a bereavement. The door had closed on these characters and I would never see them again. For seventy years I had laughed with them, shared their pain and sobbed at the tragedies they were forced to endure, and I truly wasn't ready to say goodbye! The third thing this novel taught me, though, is the path we now walk was made by those who travelled before us. This is demonstrated so brilliantly by the book's voyage through the history of medicine (including the most wonderful description of the inflammatory cascade, which would have saved me months of confusion as a medical student). Our journey is made so much easier by the sacrifices and challenges endured by previous generations and those generations are found not just in our own lives, but also within the pages of a book. I may have to say goodbye to Rune and Big Ammachi, to Digby and Shamuel, but the lessons they taught me, and the joy they brought, will stay with me forever.
It was an absolute privilege to read this novel.
This sweeping novel follows three generations of a family in Southern India, a family with many secrets, but perhaps the most mysterious secret of all is why, within each generation, at least one member of the family dies by drowning. The story is told so exquisitely and the characters, whose lives cross and connect as the water crosses and connects the land, are so rich and vibrant, I feel as though I have walked all those years alongside them. It begins in 1900 India, with the marriage of a twelve year-old girl to a widower many years her senior and through that literary trapdoor you enter a world in which you will remain, entranced, for the next seventy years. Stretching from the backstreets of Glasgow to the tranquility of Parambil, the author expertly weaves the story of seemingly unconnected people with such wisdom and clarity, until it reaches the most intensely moving and heart-breaking conclusion which underlines, for me, the most important message in this novel: none of us stands alone. As described by Rune, one of my favourite characters and a man who devotes his life to those who unbelong, we are all one. The land, the water, the beggar, the master. The edges that separate us are just an illusion. Unfolding from that epiphany is the question of where we fit, where are we accepted for who we truly are and can we ever live our lives free of judgement. This is measured so clearly by exploring the devastation of leprosy and the continued injustice of the caste system, but also by gently examining the quiet prejudices that crouch in even the most well-meaning mind.
I have sadly never visited India, but reading this novel I feel as though I have - surely one of the greatest gifts of a brilliantly told story. I have walked the landscape at Parambil, I have been overwhelmed by the chaos of Madras, I have stroked the trunk of Damo the elephant, and I have lain on a mat beside Big Ammachi and listened to her stories. Finishing this novel felt like a bereavement. The door had closed on these characters and I would never see them again. For seventy years I had laughed with them, shared their pain and sobbed at the tragedies they were forced to endure, and I truly wasn't ready to say goodbye! The third thing this novel taught me, though, is the path we now walk was made by those who travelled before us. This is demonstrated so brilliantly by the book's voyage through the history of medicine (including the most wonderful description of the inflammatory cascade, which would have saved me months of confusion as a medical student). Our journey is made so much easier by the sacrifices and challenges endured by previous generations and those generations are found not just in our own lives, but also within the pages of a book. I may have to say goodbye to Rune and Big Ammachi, to Digby and Shamuel, but the lessons they taught me, and the joy they brought, will stay with me forever.
It was an absolute privilege to read this novel.
July 6, 2024
Excelentă! Întra în top cărți citite anul acesta.
September 22, 2023
Utterly masterful…
May 21, 2023
As a reader fully captivated by this multigenerational epic, I found my emotions and heart whisked off to a time and place far from my own but still filled with familiar joys and sorrows of the human experience. This story takes place from 1900 to 1977 and centers on the indigenous Saint Thomas Christian community in the state of Kerala on India’s southwestern Malabar Coast. This is a wide ranging story with the development of a variety of characters including some colonial and Western Individuals whose lives intertwine with the local community and family which are the focus of this book.
The overarching plot involves intergenerational medical history of what appears to be random instances of bad luck which eventually leads to a diagnosis of probable inherited genealogical cause. This medical mystery is referenced in the editor’s description of the book, but readers who make it beyond that point and all the way to the end will discover the solution to an additional mystery they didn’t know needed to be solved. This final solved mystery provides a devastating emotional bitter/sweet conclusion about which I can’t say more without being a spoiler. I will add that it’s necessary to read all of the book leading up to the end in order to experience its full impact.
One significant feature of this book are the various instances where medical and surgical techniques are used to save lives and/or regain function of injured hands. The author is a physician and it appears he had saved up a list of impressive medical interventions to be inserted into this book’s story. These cases are described in exhaustive detail capable of putting TV hospital shows to shame.
This book is a prime example of the saying that being a reader of books allows one to experience many different lives. This book is a “multiverse” of experiences.
The overarching plot involves intergenerational medical history of what appears to be random instances of bad luck which eventually leads to a diagnosis of probable inherited genealogical cause. This medical mystery is referenced in the editor’s description of the book, but readers who make it beyond that point and all the way to the end will discover the solution to an additional mystery they didn’t know needed to be solved. This final solved mystery provides a devastating emotional bitter/sweet conclusion about which I can’t say more without being a spoiler. I will add that it’s necessary to read all of the book leading up to the end in order to experience its full impact.
One significant feature of this book are the various instances where medical and surgical techniques are used to save lives and/or regain function of injured hands. The author is a physician and it appears he had saved up a list of impressive medical interventions to be inserted into this book’s story. These cases are described in exhaustive detail capable of putting TV hospital shows to shame.
This book is a prime example of the saying that being a reader of books allows one to experience many different lives. This book is a “multiverse” of experiences.
June 13, 2023
The story begins at the turn of the twentieth century when a 12-year-old Indian Christian girl prepares for an unwanted arranged marriage with a 40-year-old widower. She must leave her family and join his village, the town of Parambil, in the southwest Indian state of Kerala. They are descendants of those first converted Christians by St. Thomas in the first century A.D.
She will later be named "Big Ammachi" (Big Mother) as her story unfolds and she becomes the mother of her community. She eventually becomes the overseer of the 500-acre family estate and the matriarch of the family. In her gentle, kind way, and with patience and so much tolerance, but especially inspired by her goodness, she steers the destiny of the family, their workers, and the expanded family. The family is plagued by 'the Condition' which will determine their destinies, until Big Ammaci's granddaughter, Miriamma(her namesake), in 1977, concludes the saga and finally brings science and simple legend together for a cure. A shocking discovery ends the tale.
Supporting characters include the Scottish doctor Digby Kilgour, who immigrates to Parmbil to practice surgery, and the Swedish doctor Rune Orquist, who treats patients at a leper colony. Some memorable characters for me are Big Ammachi's daughter, Baby Mol, Big Ammachi's son, Philipose; her daughter-in-law, Elsie; her loving husband(is his name ever mentioned—he is called 'thamb'ran in the story?); and the beloved elephant, Damo.
However, the novel is built on multiple characters contributing history, architecture, art, culture, language, and politics to the plot. It lacks the subtleties and complexities of Indian culture but relies heavily on the goodness of people - which makes this novel stand out against most current odes to brutal realism in which nothing survives, with hope barely an afterthought in most of them. Vikram Seth's "A Suitable Boy" depicted much more of the Indian landscape in its dark realism. Verghese ambitiously rendered his characters in a softer, almost sentimental, recollection of perhaps his own family as he would like to remember them, but succeeded nonetheless to deliver a story of hope and optimism despite the haunted past and sufferings of the families of the region and the country as a whole.
And then there is the water:
Big Ammachi: Such precious, precious water, Lord, water from our own well; this water that is our covenant with You, with this soil, with the life granted us. We are born and baptized in this water, we grow full of pride, we sin, we are broken, we suffer, but with water we are cleansed of our transgressions, we are forgiven, and we are born again, day after day till the end of our days.
"The Covenant of Water" by Abraham Verghese is a profoundly moving and thought-provoking novel that plunges readers into the depths of human emotions, culture, and the complex interconnectedness of relationships. Verghese, renowned for his ability to intricately weave together narratives of love, loss, and identity, once again showcases his literary prowess and his humanitarianism in this engrossing tale.
The mind and soul of the reader are captured by three generations, two continents, and several geographical locations. The period spans from 1900 until 1977.
This book is an experience. Seven hundred pages of pure masterful, compassionate writing. The prose is lyrical, imbued with vivid descriptions that transport readers to the bustling streets of Madras, the serene banks of the Ganges, and the vibrant tapestry of Indian culture. His attention to detail is remarkable, painting a rich and immersive picture of the sights, sounds, and smells that permeate the characters' lives. We experience the profound impact of water as a symbol of purification, transformation, and the passage of time—an element that echoes throughout the narrative, beautifully tying together its various threads.
Verghese delves into the depths of his characters' psyches, exposing their vulnerabilities, fears, and desires, ultimately rendering them relatable and authentic. The novel grapples with themes of identity, familial duty, and the clash between tradition and modernity, presenting readers with a nuanced understanding of the struggles faced by individuals torn between their roots and their aspirations.
There are instances where the pacing feels sluggish. Verghese's penchant for meticulous detail occasionally slows down the narrative, causing some moments to linger longer than necessary. However, this may not be a significant drawback for readers who appreciate immersive storytelling and a deep dive into characters' lives.
"The Covenant of Water" is a tale that resonates with universal themes, transcending geographical boundaries. It challenges readers to reflect on their own identities, the sacrifices they make, and the profound impact of cultural heritage on shaping personal choices. Verghese's evocative prose, coupled with his profound understanding of the human psyche, creates an unforgettable reading experience so rich in colorful textures.
"A Suitable Boy" by Vikram Seth, and "Wild Swans, Three Daughters of China" by Yung Chang, were not only two of my all-time favorite reads but also introduced me to the magic of these epic family sagas. Monumental masterpieces. Abraham Verghese's "Cutting For Stone", and now "The Covenant of Water" will forever become part of the best books I've ever read.
She will later be named "Big Ammachi" (Big Mother) as her story unfolds and she becomes the mother of her community. She eventually becomes the overseer of the 500-acre family estate and the matriarch of the family. In her gentle, kind way, and with patience and so much tolerance, but especially inspired by her goodness, she steers the destiny of the family, their workers, and the expanded family. The family is plagued by 'the Condition' which will determine their destinies, until Big Ammaci's granddaughter, Miriamma(her namesake), in 1977, concludes the saga and finally brings science and simple legend together for a cure. A shocking discovery ends the tale.
Supporting characters include the Scottish doctor Digby Kilgour, who immigrates to Parmbil to practice surgery, and the Swedish doctor Rune Orquist, who treats patients at a leper colony. Some memorable characters for me are Big Ammachi's daughter, Baby Mol, Big Ammachi's son, Philipose; her daughter-in-law, Elsie; her loving husband(is his name ever mentioned—he is called 'thamb'ran in the story?); and the beloved elephant, Damo.
However, the novel is built on multiple characters contributing history, architecture, art, culture, language, and politics to the plot. It lacks the subtleties and complexities of Indian culture but relies heavily on the goodness of people - which makes this novel stand out against most current odes to brutal realism in which nothing survives, with hope barely an afterthought in most of them. Vikram Seth's "A Suitable Boy" depicted much more of the Indian landscape in its dark realism. Verghese ambitiously rendered his characters in a softer, almost sentimental, recollection of perhaps his own family as he would like to remember them, but succeeded nonetheless to deliver a story of hope and optimism despite the haunted past and sufferings of the families of the region and the country as a whole.
And then there is the water:
Big Ammachi: Such precious, precious water, Lord, water from our own well; this water that is our covenant with You, with this soil, with the life granted us. We are born and baptized in this water, we grow full of pride, we sin, we are broken, we suffer, but with water we are cleansed of our transgressions, we are forgiven, and we are born again, day after day till the end of our days.
"The Covenant of Water" by Abraham Verghese is a profoundly moving and thought-provoking novel that plunges readers into the depths of human emotions, culture, and the complex interconnectedness of relationships. Verghese, renowned for his ability to intricately weave together narratives of love, loss, and identity, once again showcases his literary prowess and his humanitarianism in this engrossing tale.
The mind and soul of the reader are captured by three generations, two continents, and several geographical locations. The period spans from 1900 until 1977.
This book is an experience. Seven hundred pages of pure masterful, compassionate writing. The prose is lyrical, imbued with vivid descriptions that transport readers to the bustling streets of Madras, the serene banks of the Ganges, and the vibrant tapestry of Indian culture. His attention to detail is remarkable, painting a rich and immersive picture of the sights, sounds, and smells that permeate the characters' lives. We experience the profound impact of water as a symbol of purification, transformation, and the passage of time—an element that echoes throughout the narrative, beautifully tying together its various threads.
Verghese delves into the depths of his characters' psyches, exposing their vulnerabilities, fears, and desires, ultimately rendering them relatable and authentic. The novel grapples with themes of identity, familial duty, and the clash between tradition and modernity, presenting readers with a nuanced understanding of the struggles faced by individuals torn between their roots and their aspirations.
There are instances where the pacing feels sluggish. Verghese's penchant for meticulous detail occasionally slows down the narrative, causing some moments to linger longer than necessary. However, this may not be a significant drawback for readers who appreciate immersive storytelling and a deep dive into characters' lives.
"The Covenant of Water" is a tale that resonates with universal themes, transcending geographical boundaries. It challenges readers to reflect on their own identities, the sacrifices they make, and the profound impact of cultural heritage on shaping personal choices. Verghese's evocative prose, coupled with his profound understanding of the human psyche, creates an unforgettable reading experience so rich in colorful textures.
"A Suitable Boy" by Vikram Seth, and "Wild Swans, Three Daughters of China" by Yung Chang, were not only two of my all-time favorite reads but also introduced me to the magic of these epic family sagas. Monumental masterpieces. Abraham Verghese's "Cutting For Stone", and now "The Covenant of Water" will forever become part of the best books I've ever read.
May 18, 2023
Dnf. I don’t mind novels with shifting perspectives, but I do mind it when I’m taken away from the first quite interesting story only to have to slog along in boredom with the next couple of storylines. I’m sure there is a point to all of this and that it will come together beautifully since this book is so highly rated by plenty of other people, but life is short and I’m not going to wait around to find out.
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